Photo: LDR/Matthew RosenbergFailed Southland mayoral candidate Gary Tong says he wasn't behind the 'Tick Tong' campaign stickers plastered across the region during the local election. The former mayor recontested the Southland district mayoralty in October after losing to incumbent Rob Scott in 2022. But as recently as December, "Tick Tong" messaging could still be seen on a council rubbish drum in Riverton, where the former mayor lives. Tong said he found out 500 stickers were created and appeared around the region including Ōtautau and Te Anau. A spokesperson for Southland District Council said council-owned assets, including rubbish bins, were not approved places for election advertising.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 22, 2026 23:07 UTC